James Walsh

James Edwin Walsh, 75, who retired as chief electric system operator for the Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., died of cancer Sunday at his home on Nottingham Way in Ellicott City.

Funeral services were being held today at the Witzke funeral establishment, 1630 Edmondson Ave., Catonsville.

Mr. Walsh retired in 1977 from BG&E after having been in charge of arranging daily for the generation and distribution of electricity. He had worked for the utility 37 years. Earlier, he was an electrical engineer at the Sparrows Point plant of the Bethlehem Steel Corp.

Born in Baltimore, he was a 1932 graduate of the Polytechnic Institute and a 1936 graduate of Johns Hopkins University.

He wrote a textbook on system operation and was a member of the Engineering Society of Baltimore, the National Society of Professional Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

Mr. Walsh was the son and grandson of Baltimore and Ohirailroad employees, and he built scale model locomotives from brass. One of his Western Maryland engines is on display at the B&O Railroad Museum.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, the former Zenta O. Adams; two daughters, Barbara Frank of Pikesville and Carole Bradford of San Diego; a son, William Walsh of Baltimore, five grandchildren and a great-grandson.